Oxygen detecting agent composition, and molded article, sheet, packaging material for oxygen scavenger, and oxygen scavenger using the same

ABSTRACT

The oxygen detecting agent composition according to the present invention includes a redox dye, a reducing agent and a basic substance, wherein the redox dye is an iron blue pigment and the reducing agent is lactose.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an oxygen detecting agent composition, and a molded article, a sheet, a packaging material for an oxygen scavenger and an oxygen scavenger using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

There have hitherto been proposed oxygen detecting agents using organic dyes which undergo reversible color change due to oxidation and reduction. Commercially available oxygen detecting agents (for example, trade name “Ageless Eye,” manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.) are function products simply showing by color change that the oxygen concentration in a transparent packaging container is in a deoxygenated state of less than 0.1% by volume, and are used together with oxygen scavengers for food freshness maintenance, quality maintenance of medical pharmaceuticals and the like. Many of conventional oxygen detecting agents allow the presence or absence of oxygen in a system to be visually identifiable by using a redox dye in combination with an appropriate reducing agent.

In conventional oxygen detecting agents, organic dyes typified by methylene blue are used as redox dyes, and these organic dyes sometimes cause transfer to and contamination of, for example, packaging materials. In this regard, for example, Patent Literature 1 proposes an oxygen indicator in which an oxygen detecting agent composition containing methylene blue and a cyclic olefin copolymer are laminated on each other. Patent Literature 2 proposes an oxygen detecting agent composition in which methylene blue is impregnated into a layered silicate.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-096375

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-045365

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the oxygen detecting agent composition of Patent Literature 1 or the Patent Literature 2 uses an organic dye as a redox dye, and accordingly, suffers from a problem that when the oxygen detecting agent composition is exposed to a high-temperature atmosphere, for example, in a heat sterilization treatment, the organic dye is eluted to contaminate the packaging material or the like. Accordingly, the color of the oxygen detecting agent is sometimes misidentified, or the beauty of the exterior appearance of the packaging material or the like is sometimes impaired.

As a method for solving the above-described problem, the use of an inorganic substance such as an iron blue pigment as a redox dye can be considered. The use of such an oxygen detecting agent composition allows the elution of the redox dye to be suppressed even when the oxygen detecting agent composition is exposed to an atmosphere at 80° C. or higher, for example, in a heat sterilization treatment.

In the case of the use of an oxygen detecting agent composition containing an iron blue pigment, the color of the oxygen detecting agent turns into brown (hereinafter, also referred to as “browning”), depending on the type of the reducing agent, when the oxygen detecting agent composition is exposed to an atmosphere at 80° C. or higher, for example, in a heat sterilization treatment; thus the color of the oxygen detecting agent is sometimes misidentified, or the beauty of the exterior appearance of the oxygen detecting agent is sometimes impaired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and takes as its object the provision of an oxygen detecting agent composition capable of suppressing the elution of the redox dye and capable of suppressing the browning of the oxygen detecting agent even when the oxygen detecting agent composition is exposed to a high-temperature atmosphere, for example, in a heat sterilization treatment.

Solution to Problem

The present inventors investigated the method for solving the above-described problems, and have perfected the present invention by discovering that when the oxygen detecting agent composition, including a redox dye, a reducing agent and a basic substance, includes an iron blue pigment as the redox dye, and further includes lactose as the reducing agent, the elution of the redox dye can be suppressed, and the browning of the oxygen detecting agent can be simultaneously suppressed even when the oxygen detecting agent composition is exposed to a high-temperature atmosphere.

Specifically, the present invention is as follows.

[1] An oxygen detecting agent composition comprising a redox dye, a reducing agent and a basic substance, wherein the redox dye is an iron blue pigment, and the reducing agent is lactose.

[2] The oxygen detecting agent composition according to [1], further comprising a sodium salt and/or sodium ion.

[3] The oxygen detecting agent composition according to [1] or [2], further comprising a support.

[4] A molded article comprising the oxygen detecting agent composition according to any of [1] to [3].

[5] A sheet comprising the oxygen detecting agent composition according to any of [1] to [3].

[6] A packaging material for an oxygen scavenger, comprising the molded article according to [4], or the sheet according to [5].

[7] An oxygen scavenger comprising:

an oxygen scavenger composition, and

the packaging material for an oxygen scavenger according to [6] which packages the oxygen scavenger composition.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oxygen detecting agent composition capable of suppressing the elution of the redox dye, and capable of suppressing the browning of the oxygen detecting agent even when the oxygen detecting agent composition is exposed to a high-temperature atmosphere.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the embodiment for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, simply referred to as “the present embodiment”) is described in detail. The following present embodiment is presented as exemplification for describing the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited only to the following contents. The present invention can be carried out as appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

The oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment includes a redox dye, a reducing agent and a basic substance, wherein the redox dye is an iron blue pigment and the reducing agent is lactose. The use of an iron blue pigment in combination with lactose allows the elution of the redox dye to be suppressed and the browning of the oxygen detecting agent to be simultaneously suppressed even in a high-temperature atmosphere.

<Redox Dye: Iron Blue Pigment>

The redox dye means a substance which undergoes a reversible color change between the oxidized state and the reduced state thereof. In the present embodiment, an iron blue pigment is used as a redox dye.

The iron blue pigment is a substance including a compound represented by the following general formula (1):

MFe(III)[Fe(II)(CN)₆]  (1a)

(wherein, M represents NH₄, K, Na, or Fe(II).)

In the present specification, when M is the cation of NH₄, the iron blue pigment is referred to as ammonium iron blue pigment; when M is the cation of K, the iron blue pigment is referred to as potassium iron blue pigment; when M is the cation of Na, the iron blue pigment is referred to as sodium iron blue pigment; and when M is the cation of Fe(II), the iron blue pigment is referred to as iron hexacyanoferrate (iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II)). The iron blue pigment is low in the solubility in water, and accordingly the contamination risk due to the elution of the dye can be effectively reduced.

The above-described iron blue pigment may be used each alone or in combinations of two or more thereof. These redox dyes may also contain crystallization water. Moreover, in the general formula (1), M, Fe(III), or Fe(II) may be partially substituted with another metal, or Fe(II) may be partially deficient. As the iron blue pigment, commercially available products can also be used. The commercially available products are commercially available under the names of, for example, Prussian blue, Milori blue, Paris blue, and Chinese blue.

From the viewpoint of chemical stability or improvement of dispersibility in a solvent, it is possible to use an iron blue pigment subjected to surface hydrophobization treatment with, for example, an alkyl group or silicone to an extent not to disturb the color change reaction. The primary particle size of the iron blue pigment is preferably 1 to 500 nm and more preferably 50 to 100 nm in the average particle size. The average particle size as referred to herein means the number average particle size determined by dynamic light scattering.

<Reducing Agent: Lactose>

A reducing agent is a compound capable of reducing a redox dye in the oxidized state, and in the present embodiment, lactose (also referred to as milk sugar) is used as a reducing agent. As the lactose used in the present embodiment, the products commercially available as food, excipients as well as reagents can be used. In general, lactose is frequently distributed as a hydrate; both a hydrate and an anhydride can be used in the present embodiment without causing any problem.

The form of lactose is not particularly limited to a powder form, a granular form, a crystalline form or a solution form; the solution form is preferable from the viewpoint of the homogenization of the composition, and an aqueous solution is most preferable from the viewpoint of safety. By using a lactose aqueous solution, a homogeneous oxygen detecting agent composition can be obtained while safety is being secured.

The content of the reducing agent in the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is not particularly limited; however, from the viewpoint of the reduction capability or the like, preferably the amount equal to or higher than the amount capable of converting all the oxidized type of the iron blue pigment into the reduced type and, preferably 2 to 100 times, more preferably 3 to 50 times and furthermore preferably 5 to 30 times, as large as the amount of the iron blue pigment in terms of mass.

<Basic Substance>

From the viewpoint of enhancing the reduction activity of the reducing agent, the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment further includes a basic substance. Examples of the basic substance include, but not limited to: alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; alkali-earth metal hydroxides such as calcium hydroxide; alkali metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; alkali metal hydrogencarbonates such as sodium hydrogencarbonate; and alkali metal phosphates such as tripotassium phosphate.

Among these, the alkali-earth metal hydroxides and the alkali-earth metal carbonates are preferable, and the alkali-earth metal carbonates are more preferable.

<Sodium Salt and Sodium Ion>

The oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment preferably includes a sodium salt and/or sodium ion. When a sodium salt and/or sodium ion is present in the oxygen detecting agent composition, even in a high temperature-high humidity atmosphere in a heat sterilization treatment or the like, the elution (dye contamination) of the redox dye tends to be suppressed, and also allows the redox dye to change the color thereof as a result of rapid response to the oxygen concentration change; thus, the oxygen detection performance tends to be further improved. In particular, when the redox dye included in the oxygen detecting agent composition is an iron blue pigment, the above-described effect is more remarkable. Even when the oxygen detecting agent composition is exposed to a high temperature treatment such as a heat sterilization treatment, the oxygen detecting agent composition can suppress the elution of the redox dye, and has an excellent oxygen detection performance, and accordingly, it is expected that, for example, the oxygen detecting agent composition more facilitates the detection of pin holes in an oxygen barrier bag, and thus, it can more save labor in the detection and exclusion of defective products.

Examples of the sodium salt include, but not limited to: inorganic salts such as sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, and sodium phosphate; and organic acid salts such as sodium acetate, sodium tartrate, sodium citrate and sodium malate. Among these, organic acid salts are preferable, sodium salts of polybasic acids such as sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, and sodium citrate are more preferable, and sodium citrate is furthermore preferable. The sodium salt may be included as solid or in a state of being dissolved in a solvent such as water or alcohol, in the oxygen detecting agent composition.

In the present embodiment, either the state of being a sodium salt or the state of being sodium ion may be adopted. These sodium salts and sodium ion may be used each alone or in combinations of two or more thereof.

The sodium ion may be the sodium ion generated from the material generating sodium ion in the system.

Examples of such sodium ion include: the sodium ions generated from the sodium contained in sodium iron blue pigment, sodium contained in a support, and sodium contained in a fibrous base material. Alternatively, examples of such sodium ion also include: the sodium ion generated from a fibrous material (such as paper) containing as a binder, for example, a sodium salt of a polymer such as sodium polyacrylate.

The behavior of the sodium salt and the sodium ion can take various modes. Examples of such a mode include: the mode of being incorporated into the crystal lattice of the complex; the mode of being released from the crystal lattice of the complex to form a salt with an anion in the composition; and the mode of being present in a state of being isolated as ion. The number of the ions incorporated into the complex can be one or more.

However, the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described aspect.

The total amount of the contents of the sodium salt and the sodium ion in the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is not particularly limited; however, the total amount is preferably 0.01 to 10 times, preferably 0.05 to 2 times, further preferably 0.05 to 1.5 times, furthermore preferably 0.1 to 1.5 times and still furthermore preferably 0.1 to 1.1 times as large as the content of the redox dye, in terms of the mass of the sodium atom. When the total amount of the contents of the sodium salt and the sodium ion is regulated so as to fall within the above-described range, the oxygen detection speed tends to be further improved.

The reason for this is not clear at present, but it is inferred that this is because the incorporation of the sodium ion into the crystal lattice of the Prussian blue-type complex changes the oxidation-reduction potentials of the metal ions constituting the complex. It is inferred that among the various metal ions, the incorporation of the sodium ion into the metal complex tends to favorably affect the oxidation-reduction potentials, and consequently, the oxygen detection performance in rapidly changing the color with the oxygen concentration change is more improved. However, the mechanism of the present embodiment is not limited to the foregoing description; as long as the oxygen detecting agent composition has the above-described predetermined constitution, the desired effects of the present embodiment can be obtained.

The content of the basic substance in the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is preferably 10 to 1000 times, more preferably 50 to 500 times, further preferably 100 to 300 times, and furthermore preferably 100 to 200 times, as large as the content of the redox dye, in terms of mass. When the content of the basic substance is regulated so as to fall within the above-described range, the storage stability and the color response speed against the oxygen concentration tends to be more enhanced.

<Moisturizing Agent>

From the viewpoint of holding the moisture necessary for the color change reaction, the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment can further include a moisturizing agent. Examples of the moisturizing agent include, but not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, glycerin and polyethylene glycol; and hygroscopic inorganic salts such as magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.

The content of the moisturizing agent in the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is preferably 1 to 20% by mass and more preferably 5 to 15% by mass, based on the total amount of the oxygen detecting agent composition. When the content of the moisturizing agent is regulated to fall within the above-described range, the normal coloration function tends to be provided over a wider atmospheric humidity range.

<Colorant>

In the present embodiment, the color change of the redox dye can be made clear by adding a colorant which does not change the color thereof depending on the oxygen concentration and does not cause contamination during heat sterilization treatment. Examples of such a colorant include, but not limited to: dyes such as Red No. 104 and Acid Red; and pigments such as titanium oxide and red iron oxide.

The content of the colorant is not particularly limited as long as the color change of the redox dye can be visually identified; however, the content of the colorant is preferably 0.01 to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.05 to 3% by mass and furthermore preferably 0.1 to 1% by mass, based on the total amount of the oxygen detecting agent composition. When the redox dye is an iron blue pigment, the content of the colorant is preferably 0.0001 to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 5% by mass, furthermore preferably 0.01 to 3% by mass, and still furthermore preferably 0.03 to 1% by mass, based on the total amount of the oxygen detecting agent composition.

<Support>

When the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is in a powder form, the oxygen detecting agent composition preferably further includes a support from the viewpoint of improving the handleability of the composition. By allowing the respective components in the oxygen detecting agent composition to be supported on the support, the handleability of the oxygen detecting agent composition can be improved while the composition being in a powder form. The particle size of the oxygen detecting agent in a powder form is not particularly limited; however, from the viewpoint of the fluidity, the particle size of the oxygen detecting agent in a powder form is preferably 10 to 1000 μm and more preferably 50 to 500 μm. The average particle size as referred to herein means the particle size as measured from the weight fractions determined by the sizes of the sieve openings after vibrating the particles for 5 minutes in different sieves wherein the standard sieves of JIS Z 8801 are used.

Examples of the support include, but not limited to: inorganic substances such as magnesium carbonate, zeolite, diatom earth, perlite, activated alumina and silica gel. Among these, from the viewpoint of the color responsivity to oxygen, the support is preferably a basic inorganic substance, and more preferably magnesium carbonate. When the support is a basic inorganic substance, the support can also provide the function as the above-described basic substance.

<Oxygen Detecting Agent Ink>

The oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is, if necessary, dispersed in a solvent together with a binder, and thus an oxygen detecting agent ink (sometimes, also referred to as an “oxygen indicator ink” or the like) can be prepared.

<Solvent>

The solvent can be used by selecting, in consideration of the solubility and dispersibility of the oxygen detecting agent composition, the compatibility with the printing method and the like. Examples thereof include, but not limited to, water; alcohols such as isopropanol and butanol; esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone; and hydrocarbons such as toluene and cyclohexane. These may be used each alone or in combinations of two or more thereof.

<Binder>

Examples of the binder include, but not limited to: water-soluble polymers such as sodium alginate, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, dextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate and polyacrylamide; celluloses such as ethyl cellulose, ethylhydroxyethyl cellulose and cellulose acetyl propionate; and water-insoluble polymers such as vinyl acetate resin, butyral resin, polyester resin, acrylic resin, polyether resin, polyamide resin and petroleum-based resin. The binder can be selected from these in consideration of the solubility in the solvent and the like. These may be used each alone or in combinations of two or more thereof.

<Oxygen Detecting Agent Sheet>

In the present embodiment, an oxygen detecting agent sheet can be formed by using the oxygen detecting agent composition. In other words, the sheet of the present embodiment includes the above-described oxygen detecting agent composition. Examples of an aspect of the sheet according to the present embodiment include a sheet which includes a base material and a layer formed on the base material, the layer including the oxygen detecting agent composition. In addition to the foregoing, the sheet of the present embodiment may be a sheet provided with a protective layer laminated on the layer including a base material and/or a layer including the oxygen detecting agent composition. Examples of the protective layer include, without particularly limited to the following: a coating layer formed with a clear ink, and a transparent resin layer laminated by dry lamination or with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Examples of the material for the coating layer or the transparent resin layer include, but not limited to the following: polyolefin, polyester, polyurethane, poly(meth)acrylic acid and the ester thereof, and polyamide; from the viewpoint of air permeability, polyolefin or polyurethane is preferable.

The protective layer is not necessarily required to have air permeability and transparency. In the other words, at least either of the base material and the protective layer to be described later may have air permeability, and similarly, at least either of these may have transparency.

Examples of the base material include, but not limited to: polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate; polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; resins such as polyacrylonitrile resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin and polyamide resin such as 6-nylon; and fibrous materials such as paper, cloth and non-woven fabric.

Examples of the method for preparing the oxygen detecting agent sheet include, but not limited to, a method in which the above described oxygen detecting agent ink is applied to, impregnated into or printed on a sheet (sometimes referred to as “film”). The application method is not particularly limited, and heretofore known application methods can also be adopted. Examples thereof include a method using brush, spray or the like.

The impregnation method is not particularly limited, and heretofore known impregnation methods can also be adopted.

The printing method is not particularly limited, and heretofore known printing methods can also be adopted. Examples of the printing method include: an offset printing method, a gravure printing method, a screen printing method, a flexographic printing method and a letterpress printing method. In this case, the thickness of the oxygen detection layer is not particularly limited; however, usually, the thickness of the oxygen detection layer is preferably 0.1 to 50 μm, more preferably 1 to 30 μm and furthermore preferably 5 to 10 μm. When the thickness of the oxygen detection layer is regulated to fall within the above-described range, the oxygen detection performance of the oxygen detection sheet can be more enhanced, and the exfoliation of the coating tends to be more effectively suppressed.

<Packaging Material for Oxygen Scavenger>

In the present embodiment, the packaging material for oxygen scavenger may be prepared by using the oxygen detecting agent composition. In this case, the above-described oxygen detecting agent sheet or the oxygen detecting agent molded article to be described later can be used. In other words, the packaging material for an oxygen scavenger of the present embodiment includes the molded article or the sheet of the present embodiment.

<Powder-Form Oxygen Detecting Agent Composition>

The oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is also allowed to be, if necessary, a powder-form oxygen detecting agent composition by mixing, for example, the above-described support. By supporting the respective components of the oxygen detecting agent composition on the support, the handleability of the oxygen detecting agent composition can be more improved.

<Oxygen Detecting Agent Molded Article>

In the present embodiment, the oxygen detecting agent composition can be molded into a molded article (oxygen detecting agent molded article). In other words, the molded article of the present embodiment includes the oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment. The shape of the molded article is not particularly limited; examples of the shape of the molded article include a tablet obtained by compression molding the oxygen detecting agent composition. Moreover, the above-described powder-form oxygen detecting agent composition is preferably compression molded. For the compression molding, a commercially available tablet machine or the like can be used. In order to more improve the moldability, it is possible to add, if necessary, a binder such as a cellulose powder, powdery polyethylene, or starch. The shape of the molded article is not particularly limited, and heretofore known shapes can be adopted; however, among such shapes, from the viewpoint of preventing the fracture or the like of the molded article, the shape of the molded article is preferably a tablet shape such as a round shape, an oblong shape or a caplet shape. The weight per one oxygen detecting agent molded article is not particularly limited; however, the weight per one oxygen detecting agent molded article is preferably 0.05 to 5 g and more preferably 0.1 to 0.5 g. When the weight of the oxygen detecting agent molded article is regulated so as to fall within the above-described range, the handleability and the color visibility tends to be more improved.

<Oxygen Scavenger>

The oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment can also be applied to an oxygen scavenger. Specifically, the oxygen scavenger of the present embodiment includes an oxygen scavenger composition, and the packaging material for an oxygen scavenger of the present embodiment for packaging the aforementioned oxygen scavenger composition. As the oxygen scavenger composition, a heretofore known oxygen scavenger composition can be used.

<Packaging Form>

The powder-form oxygen detecting agent composition or the oxygen detecting agent molded article is filled in a small bag formed of a transparent resin film, and thus a small bag-type oxygen indicator can be obtained. If necessary, a perforation treatment may be applied to an extent not to leak the packed substance, or a treatment aiming at control of ventilation between inside and outside the bag or the like, such as running a ventilation string through the bag, may also be applied.

Even when such treatments are applied, the elution of the dye can be effectively prevented. Moreover, excellent oxygen detection performance can be sufficiently provided.

<Heat Sterilization Treatment>

The oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is placed in a packaging container together with an object to be stored such as food or an oxygen scavenger, the packaging container is hermetically sealed, and then a heat sterilization treatment such as a boil sterilization treatment at approximately 80 to 100° C., or a retort sterilization treatment (depending on the temperature region and the like, “semi-retort sterilization treatment,” “retort sterilization treatment,” “high-retort sterilization treatment” or the like may sometimes be properly used) at approximately 100 to 135° C. can be performed. Even when such heat sterilization treatments are applied, the elution of the dye can be suppressed. Moreover, excellent oxygen detection performance can be sufficiently provided.

<Browning Resistance>

The oxygen detecting agent composition of the present embodiment is suppressed in the browning of the color thereof even when subjected to the sterilization treatment. The browning is preferably suppressed from the viewpoint of the color visibility of the detecting agent and the beauty of the exterior appearance of the detecting agent. The degree of the browning can also be evaluated on the basis of the magnitude of the b* value digitized as the Lab* value by a colorimeter, in addition to visual evaluation.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present embodiment is described more specifically by way of Examples. It is to be noted that the present embodiment is not intended to be limited by these Examples.

The following reagents used in following Examples were the reagents manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.: isopropyl alcohol (hereinafter, denoted as “IPA”), ethyl acetate, lactose monohydrate, D-glucose, D-fructose, cellulose powder, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, trisodium citrate, and ethylene glycol.

Example 1

<Preparation of Oxygen Indicator Ink>

A mixed solvent composed of 4.5 g of IPA and 4.5 g of ethyl acetate was prepared, and 1.0 g of cellulose acetate propionate (trade name “504-0.2,” manufactured by Eastman Chemical Co., hereinafter denoted as “CAP”) was dissolved as a binder in the mixed solvent. In the resulting solution, 0.16 g of ammonium iron blue pigment (trade name: “Milori blue FX9050,” manufactured by Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd., solubility in water at 20° C.: less than 0.002 mg/100 g-H₂O) as a redox dye, 0.011 g of phloxine B (Food Red No. 104, manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a colorant, 3.6 g of ethylene glycol as a moisturizing agent, and 2.1 g of lactose monohydrate as a reducing agent were added and dispersed, to yield an ink A.

In a mixed solvent composed of 5.8 g of IPA and 5.8 g of ethyl acetate, 1.4 g of CAP was dissolved to prepare a solution. In the resulting solution, 10 g of magnesium hydroxide as a basic substance was mixed and dispersed to obtain a dispersion liquid.

An oxygen indicator ink was obtained by mixing 1.1 g of the ink A, 1.1 g of the dispersion liquid, 0.7 g of IPA and 0.7 g of ethyl acetate.

<Preparation of Oxygen Detecting Agent Sheet>

The oxygen indicator ink was applied to the surface of a sheet of a synthetic paper (polypropylene-based sheet, trade name: “FPD-80,” manufactured by Yupo Corp.) cut to 100 mm×150 mm according to the following procedure. The application of the oxygen indicator ink was performed by using a bar coater (manufactured by Tester Sangyo Co., Ltd.). First, as a protective layer, a medium (trade name: “CLIOS Medium (A),” manufactured by DIC Graphics Corp.) was applied and dried by blowing hot air at 60° C. Next, the oxygen indicator ink was applied onto the protective layer and dried by blowing hot air at 60° C. for 10 seconds to form an oxygen detection layer. Finally, the medium (trade name: “CLIOS Medium (A)”) was applied onto the surface of the oxygen detection layer, and dried by blowing hot air at 60° C. for 10 seconds to obtain an oxygen detecting agent sheet (polypropylene-based sheet/protective layer 1/oxygen detection layer/protective layer 2).

A laminated film composed of a biaxially stretched polypropylene film (thickness: 20 μm) and an unstretched polypropylene film (thickness: 30 μm) was prepared. By using this laminated film, there was prepared a three-side sealed bag of 25 mm in the longitudinal direction×25 mm in the transverse direction such that the unstretched polypropylene film was arranged inside the bag.

The obtained oxygen detecting agent sheet was cut to a size of 5 mm in the longitudinal direction×15 mm in the transverse direction, to prepare an oxygen detecting agent sheet piece. The oxygen detecting agent sheet piece was placed in the three-side sealed bag in such a way that the protective layer 2 of the oxygen detecting agent sheet piece was brought into contact with the inside surface (the unstretched polypropylene film side) of the three-side sealed bag, and then the three-side sealed bag was heat sealed to prepare an evaluation sample.

<Evaluation of Resistance to Heat Sterilization Treatment, Evaluation of Oxygen Detection Performance and Evaluation of Browning Resistance>

In an oxygen barrier bag, an evaluation sample (the three-side sealed bag), an oxygen scavenger (trade name: “Ageless SA-500,” manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., oxygen scavenger composition: 10 g) and 500 mL of air were enclosed, and then the bag was hermetically sealed to obtain a hermetically sealed body.

By using the hermetically sealed body, the evaluation of the resistance to heat sterilization treatment the evaluation of the oxygen detection performance and the evaluation of browning resistance were performed.

(Evaluation of Resistance to Heat Sterilization Treatment) The obtained hermetically sealed body was subjected to a retort treatment at 121° C. for 30 minutes, and the resistance to the heat sterilization treatment was evaluated by identifying the presence or absence of the contamination immediately after the retort treatment. It is to be noted that the oxygen concentration in the hermetically sealed body immediately after being subjected to the retort treatment was verified to be less than 0.1% by volume by using a gas chromatograph (“GC-14A,” manufactured by Shimadzu Corp.). The presence or absence of the contamination immediately after being subjected to the retort treatment was evaluated on the basis of the following standards.

“◯”: No coloration of blue color due to the dye was found, and the evaluation sample (the three-side sealed bag) maintained the colorless state.

“X”: By coloration of blue color due to the dye, the evaluation sample (the three-side sealed bag) was changed in color to blue (insufficient resistance to heat sterilization treatment).

(Evaluation of Oxygen Detection Performance)

The obtained hermetically sealed body was subjected to a retort treatment at 121° C. for 30 minutes, and then the oxygen barrier bag was opened and the oxygen detection sheet was taken out. The oxygen detection sheet was allowed to stand still in an air atmosphere at 25° C., and the oxygen detection performance was evaluated by visually identifying the change of the color after an elapsed time of 24 hours. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 1. The oxygen detection performance was evaluated on the basis of the following standards.

“◯”: At the point of the standing still time of 24 hours, the color of the oxygen detection sheet changed to blue (sufficient oxygen detection performance).

“X”: At the point of the standing still time of 24 hours, the color of the oxygen detection sheet did not change to blue (insufficient oxygen detection performance).

(Evaluation of Browning Resistance)

In an oxygen barrier bag, an evaluation sample (oxygen detection sheet), an oxygen scavenger (trade name: “Ageless SA-500,” manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., oxygen scavenger composition: 10 g) and 500 mL of air were enclosed, and the bag was hermetically sealed to obtain a hermetically sealed body. By using the hermetically sealed body, a browning resistance evaluation was performed.

The obtained hermetically sealed body was subjected to a retort treatment at 121° C. for 30 minutes, and the browning resistance was evaluated by visually identifying the color of the oxygen detection sheet immediately after the retort treatment. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 1. It is to be noted that the oxygen concentration in the hermetically sealed body immediately after being subjected to the retort treatment was verified to be less than 0.1% by volume by using a gas chromatograph (“GC-14A,” manufactured by Shimadzu Corp.). The browning resistance of the oxygen detection sheet immediately after being subjected to the retort treatment was evaluated on the basis of the following standards.

“◯”: The browning of the reducing agent was suppressed, and the oxygen detection sheet exhibited bright pink color.

“X”: The browning of the reducing agent occurred, and the oxygen detection sheet did not exhibit bright pink color (insufficient browning resistance).

Example 2

The experiment was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that magnesium carbonate was used in place of magnesium hydroxide. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Examples 1 to 3

In each of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the experiment was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the reducing agent listed in Table 1 was used in place of lactose monohydrate. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Evaluation of resistance Evaluation of to heat oxygen Evaluation Reducing Basic sterilization detection of browning agent substance treatment performance resistance Example 1 Lactose Magnesium ◯ ◯ ◯ monohydrate hydroxide Example 2 Lactose Magnesium ◯ ◯ ◯ monohydrate carbonate Comparative D-Glucose Magnesium ◯ ◯ X Example 1 hydroxide Comparative D-Fructose Magnesium ◯ ◯ X Example 2 hydroxide Comparative Maltose Magnesium ◯ ◯ X Example 3 monohydrate hydroxide

As can be seen from Table 1, it has been verified that in each of Examples 1 and 2, the evaluation of the resistance to heat sterilization treatment, the evaluation of the oxygen detection performance and the evaluation of the browning resistance were all satisfactory. On the other hand, it has been verified that in each of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the evaluation of the browning resistance was poor.

Example 3

<Preparation of Tablet-Shaped Oxygen Detecting Agent>

A powder-form oxygen detecting agent composition was obtained by mixing, with an automatic mortar, 100 g of magnesium carbonate, 2.0 g of cellulose powder, 0.50 g of ammonium iron blue pigment, 0.05 g of phloxine B (Food Red No. 104, manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), 5.0 g of lactose monohydrate, 5.0 g of magnesium sulfate, 0.5 g of trisodium citrate, and 5.0 g of water. By using a pressure molding machine (small-scale tablet machine “VELA 5,” manufactured by Kikusui Seisakusho Ltd.), a pressure of 10 kN was applied for 5 seconds to the powder-form oxygen detecting agent composition to obtain a tablet-shaped oxygen detecting agent of 3.2 mm in thickness and 7 mmφ in diameter.

A laminated film composed of a biaxially stretched polypropylene film (thickness: 20 μm) and an unstretched polypropylene film (thickness: 30 μm) was prepared. By using this laminated film, there was prepared a three-side sealed bag of 25 mm in the longitudinal direction×25 mm in the transverse direction such that the unstretched polypropylene film was arranged inside the bag. One tablet of the obtained tablet-shaped oxygen detecting agent was placed in the three-side sealed bag, and the opening of the three-side sealed bag was heat sealed to prepare an evaluation sample.

<Evaluation of Resistance to Heat Sterilization Treatment, Evaluation of Oxygen Detection Performance and Evaluation of Browning Resistance>

In an oxygen barrier bag, an evaluation sample (the three-side sealed bag), an oxygen scavenger (trade name: “Ageless SA-500,” manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., oxygen scavenger composition: 10 g) and 200 mL of air were enclosed, and then the bag was hermetically sealed to obtain a hermetically sealed body. The obtained hermetically sealed body was subjected to a retort treatment at 121° C. for 30 minutes, and the evaluation of the resistance to heat sterilization treatment, the evaluation of the oxygen detection performance and the evaluation of browning resistance were performed in the same manner as in Example 1. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 2. The b* value of the sample of Example 3 measured with a color analyzer (X-RITE SP64, manufactured by X-Rite Inc.) after the evaluation of the oxygen detection performance was −3.81.

Example 4

The experiment was performed in the same manner as in Example 3 except that magnesium hydroxide was used in place of magnesium carbonate. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 2.

Comparative Examples 4 to 6

In each of Comparative Examples 4 to 6, the experiment was performed in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the reducing agent listed in Table 2 was used in place of lactose monohydrate. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 2. The b* value of the sample of Comparative Example 5 measured with a color analyzer (X-RITE SP64, manufactured by X-Rite Inc.) was +17.09.

TABLE 2 Evaluation of resistance Evaluation of to heat oxygen Evaluation Reducing Basic sterilization detection of browning agent substance treatment performance resistance Example 3 Lactose Magnesium ◯ ◯ ◯ monohydrate hydroxide Example 4 Lactose Magnesium ◯ ◯ ◯ monohydrate carbonate Comparative D-Glucose Magnesium ◯ ◯ X Example 4 hydroxide Comparative D-Fructose Magnesium ◯ ◯ X Example 5 hydroxide Comparative Maltose Magnesium ◯ ◯ X Example 6 monohydrate hydroxide

As can be seen from Table 2, it has been verified that in each of Examples 3 and 4, the evaluation of the resistance to heat sterilization treatment, the evaluation of the oxygen detection performance, and the evaluation of the browning resistance were all satisfactory. On the other hand, it has been verified that in each of Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the evaluation of the browning resistance was poor.

The present application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-060908 filed on Mar. 24, 2015 at the Japan Patent Office, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, an oxygen detecting agent composition, which can at least suppress the elution of a redox dye and the browning of the oxygen detecting agent, is provided. In particular, there is provided an oxygen detecting agent composition capable of suppressing the elution of the redox dye and the browning of the oxygen detecting agent even when the oxygen detecting agent composition is subjected to a heat sterilization treatment such as a boil treatment or a retort treatment. Accordingly, the detection of pin holes before and after the heat sterilization treatment is facilitated, the labor saving in the detection and exclusion of defective products is enabled, and the oxygen detecting agent composition can be effectively used in, for example, the management of the storage state of various articles such as food and pharmaceuticals. 

1: An oxygen detecting agent composition comprising a redox dye, a reducing agent and a basic substance, wherein the redox dye is an iron blue pigment and the reducing agent is lactose. 2: The oxygen detecting agent composition according to claim 1, further comprising a sodium salt and/or sodium ion. 3: The oxygen detecting agent composition according to claim 1, further comprising a support. 4: A molded article comprising the oxygen detecting agent composition according to claim
 1. 5: A sheet comprising the oxygen detecting agent composition according to claim
 1. 6: A packaging material for an oxygen scavenger, comprising the molded article according to claim
 4. 7: An oxygen scavenger comprising: an oxygen scavenger composition, and the packaging material for an oxygen scavenger according to claim 6 which packages the oxygen scavenger composition. 